The Dark Knight

Just got back from seeing The Dark Knight.

It's incredible.  It really is incredible.  If you don't like this movie, you either don't like Batman, you don't like superheroes, you don't like action movies, or you just don't plain like movies.

Of course, everyone will be curious about Heath Ledger as the Joker.  Don't worry.  This is his crowning achievement as an actor.  The Dark Knight Joker is, simply put, the second best villain to have ever graced cinema history.  First place goes to, no surprises here, Darth Vader.  But now I'm really starting to show my geek.

Whoever wrote this movie needs about every award possible.  It's perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  The story isn't too convoluted.  I was worried about this because, essentially, there are two villains in the movie.  The Joker and
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Harvey Dent/Two-Face.

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But they are villains for two VERY different reasons.  That's one of many details that just makes this film shine.

I can't get over the amount of action in the movie.  There's hardly any "wait time."  They balance everything so well.  There's plenty of story to go around for those like me, who thrive on great plot-lines and character development.  But the action.  If you're a die-hard fan of movies like XXX or The Fast and The Furious, you'll find plenty to enjoy.

But really, the focal point of the movie is the Joker.  He drives everything.  It's just like one of his lines in the movie.  "By nightfall, I will control this city."  There's a constant fight over control throughout the movie.  Batman vs. The Joker.  But throw in Harvey Dent, the new DA who thrives on bringing crime to its knees and you suddenly have an interesting blend.  The line between hero and citizen is blurred.

And that's what this entire movie is about.  This is the message of the movie.

You no longer need a mask in order to be a hero.

There is this one point in the movie where the dependability of human nature comes into play... I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie yet... but it really is an incredible moment.

This movie deserves 5 stars out of 5, 10 points out of 10, two-thumbs up, 100% fresh, whatever it is that you can throw at it that says "Amazing."  GO SEE THIS MOVIE.  And not a DVD from Netflix.  THEATERS.

Unless, of course, you hate movies, right?